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CHARLA INGRAM FROM THE GROUND UP
When I began gardening, I grew a lot of seeds to introduce new plants to my beds. Growing seeds can be another rewarding challenge of gardening. Since we are now in the beginning of September, I will begin collecting seeds soon. Seeds are ready to be harvested once the seedpods have changed from green to brown or whenever their fruit is ripe. Collect ripe seed on a dry day so that the seeds will not have any moisture in them after you are collected them you will want to lay them in a container and allow them to dry out or a few days. After allowing the seeds to dry for a few days you can place them in a paper sack or in other forms of packaging as long as you keep them in a dry dark area.
When growing plants from seed they will typically produce a plant with only the basic genetics of the mother plant. Occasionally you will receive a mixed variety of colors when growing plants from seed. This is especially true if the seeds come from a hybrid variety. The viability of seeds will be determined if the plant was pollinated by either insects or wind. Some plants can be self pollinating like peas, beans, Peppers, and tomatoes. Sometimes cross pollination between plants can result in an interesting looking flower and sometimes even create your own hybrid. Just be aware that a seed grown plants can have many variances and generally will revert back to its basic genetics.
Charla Ingram is a plant, nature and golfing enthusiast who, along with her husband Chris, owns and operates C&C Garden in the small town of Bessie, Oklahoma.